Nigerian Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has said that 3,150 convicts are on death row, awaiting execution as State Governors have not assented to their warrants, and awaiting trials which constitute of whopping 75 per cent of the inmates population, disproportionately usurping resources and space.
The Minister who disclosed this at the Joint Press Conference on Security Monday, called on State Government to speedy up the justice delivery system so that justice will be quickly delivered for them, adding that many of the awaiting trials have been in detention for periods longer than maximum jail terms prescribed for the offences they were alleged to have committed.
Aregbesola revealed that a total of 75,601 inmates, including 1,271 military detainees, in all the nation’s custodial centres. “Which are made of 74,044 males and 1,557 females. And of this figure, only 19,064 of about 25 per cent are convicts while rest are awaiting trial persons.
According to him, “Justice delayed for these detainees is justice denied. Prosecution and defence counsels also deliberately ask for long adjournments (as delay tactics meant to wear each other out) and obtain advantage for their sides. This should be discouraged.
“There should be a judicial reform that will bring all criminal cases to an end within a specific period once trial begins, as obtains in some other countries. This will clearly eliminate the unsavoury state of long and seemingly indeterminate detention periods for awaiting trial persons”.
Speaking of Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps NSCDC’s remarkable performance, the Minister said from January till date the Agency has made 501 arrests, prosecuted 452 cases, out of which 49 resulted in convictions.
Added that it has also destroyed 71 illegal refineries. Just last week, eight gunboats procured for the agency were commissioned in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, to tackle the security challenges to critical national assets and infrastructure in the area.
Aregbesola stated that the Agency also has commenced a reform process aimed at repositioning the private guards industry for better performance. “It’s imperative to state that it has been actively involved and is indeed a component part of all the Joint Task Forces set up to address the insecurity situation in the country.
“In its bid to regulate and standardise the operations of private security companies, this year alone, it has licenced 62 new companies while 41 applications are pending. It has sealed 82 companies that did not live up to standard and unsealed 40 that complied. A total of 587 licences have been renewed within the same period”.
The Minister boasted that the Ministry has fulfilled its mandate of maintaining internal security through its four agencies and has contributed to economic development by facilitating the entry, operations and establishment of foreigners and foreign firms to do business in Nigeria.
Aregbesola said, “The security challenges we are facing were exacerbated by the restrictions and deprivations of COVID-19, in spite of government’s ameliorative measures. But we shall continue to protect the lives and property of Nigerians and foreigners in our midst.
“We shall continue to work for the peace of the nation and deter elements that constitute threats to the people. We shall bear the full powers of the government to secure every inch of our land. We shall not rest until peace is fully restored in Nigeria”, he said.
The Minister thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for his presence of mind and the charge he constantly give on restoring peace and security to every inch of the land; and for unprecedented resources he has made available to the Ministry and its agencies.
In his speech, the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed has said military and other security agents have been able to contain the daunting security challenges Nigeria are facing, and that the worst is indeed over.
According to him, “We have now put the terrorists, bandits and their ilk on the run and we will not relent until they have been crushed. We are therefore not saying the battle is over. No”, he said.
Alhaji Mohammed who saluted Mr. President for his leadership, stated that when many threw their arms up in the air and felt it was all over, President Buhari remained resolute. “When many called for the use of foreign mercenaries to tackle the challenges, especially terrorism and banditry.
“President Buhari never wavered in his belief in the ability of our gallant men and women in uniform to rise to the occasion, and rise to occasion they did. Some said the security challenges overwhelmed the military, but the military now demonstrated that no group of ragtag criminals can ever overwhelm them.
“Terrorists and bandits and Co. can run but cannot hide, and this has been demonstrated by arrest of those who attacked a church in Owo. These criminals can run but cannot hide, as we have seen in the decimation of the cowards who ambushed the Brigade of Guards troops in Abuja”.
While appealing to all compatriots Nigerians to continue to support the security agencies in their onerous task of keeping the country safe. “We must also realize that security is the business of everyone, hence the tagline ‘if you see something, say something.’ Terrorists or bandits are not spirits”.